Bicycle MechanicsBroken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

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Velox is the gold standard of rim tapes. It comes in 3 widths. Most, if not all, road bike rims take the 17mm width. It's important that the rim tape covers every bit of every spoke hole. Ideally, the rim tape should fit snugly from rim flange to rim flange.

+1 on using Velox. It is self adhesive and very strong. Be sure to start and end the tape between spoke holes, not over one, and line up the prepunched hole in the tape over the valve hole. You can trim the tape so the beginning and end butt tightly together or just overlap the ends slightly. It doesn't seem to matter which one you do.

I love me some Velox! I miss using it since I switched to Road Tubeless.

While it might not be necessary, it's a good idea to spray some Brakleen on a clean rag and wipe down the rim surface before installing, just to be sure there's no grease or anything on it. That's not a big deal, but it can't hurt.

While it might not be necessary, it's a good idea to spray some Brakleen on a clean rag and wipe down the rim surface before installing, just to be sure there's no grease or anything on it. That's not a big deal, but it can't hurt.

Brakleen is nasty stuff. If you have to clean the rim surface, common isopropyl alcohol is good. Much healthier too!